UEFA European Football Cup 2012: who will win?

Olá, a exemplo do que fiz para a Eurovisão, aqui está um inquérito onde podem dizer quem deverá ganhar o Europeu de Futebol. Poderão votar em mais do que uma selecção, mas tentem não votar em todas ou na vossa selecção só por carinho!!!
Os resultados serão anunciados neste blog no dia 30 de Junho.


Para responderem acedam a este link: http://poll.pollcode.com/x7ti



Hello, like I did for the Eurovision, here is a survey where you can say who will win the European Cup. You May vote in more than one selection, but try not to vote on all or  in your selection only by affection! The results will be announced on this blog on June 30th.

To respond access this link: http://poll.pollcode.com/x7ti



Hallo, wie ich es  für den Eurovision tat, hier ist eine Umfrage, wo sie sagen kann, wer den UEFA Fussball-Europameisterschaft gewinnen wird . Mögen in mehr als eine Auswahl zu stimmen, aber versuchen Sie nicht, überhaupt nicht oder in Ihre Auswahl zu voten! Die Ergebnisse werden in diesem Blog am 30. Juni bekannt gegeben.

Um antworten, um diesen Link aufrufen: http://poll.pollcode.com/x7ti

EURO2012: Portugal no Europeu de Futebol (I)

A falta de tempo e os problemas informáticos, não me permitiram dar tanto tempo a falar do Euro2012, como eu desejava. Mas sendo hoje o dia em que Portugal se vai estrear no campeonato, não podia deixar de referir isto no meu blog.

A qualificação e o grupo de Portugal:
Como não podia deixar de ser, a "sorte" de Portugal foi tanta, que a equipa ficou inserida no grupo considerado mais forte de todos. Mesmo a Dinamarca, que é considerada a menos favorita do nosso grupo, pode surpreender, e tem fortes probabilidades de passar à fase seguinte. Para não falar da Holanda, e da Alemanha, contra quem vamos jogar hoje, e que são considerados os eternos favoritos à vitória.
Uma coisa é certa: um dos favoritos à final, vai cair na fase de grupos, e obviamente que espero que não seja Portugal!!! A nossa selecção é respeitada pelos nossos adversários, que estão conscientes da qualidade dos nossos jogadores. Infelizmente, também parecem estar bem cientes nas nossas fraquezas.
Como parece que vem sendo hábito, Portugal teve uma qualificação um pouco sofrida, logo no arranque com o empate com o Chipre e a derrota na Noruega, mas que no final acabou por sair bem-sucedido: espero que isto tenha servido de lição para a nossa equipa - não basta se apoiar no favoritismo, para que os adversários se afastem do caminho e deixem a baliza aberta para marcarmos os golos que quisermos.


A equipa e as chances de Portugal:
Portugal entra sempre nestes campeonatos com elevado favoritismo, mas infelizmente acaba quase sempre perto de um grande feito sem o alcançar - e outras vezes nem perto fica.
O bom percurso da selecção portuguesa deve-se sem dúvida aos jogadores de renome que preenhem a nossa equipa: contam com grande experiência internacional e, não só Cristiano Ronaldo, como outros jogadores fizeram boas épocas nos seus clubes. E o problema está também aqui: mesmo que a época de Ronaldo tenha sido a mais gloriosa, é excessivo todo o protagonismo que recai sobre ele, deixando-o muitas vezes isolado e com o jogo todo sob o seu controlo.
A equipa tem bons jogadores, para além de Cristiano Ronaldo como Hélder Postiga, Hugo Almeida e Nelson Oliveira, mas a baixa por motivos disciplinares por Bosingwa e Ricardo Carvalho, prejudicou em muito as chances da equipe de Português.

Infelizmente, a nossa mais-valia fica por aqui: falta a força de equipa, que consiga garantir jogos equilibrados (em todas as áreas do campo) e coesos.
Claro que, tudo o que Portugal conseguiu até agora desde o arranque da fase de apuramento, deve em muito ao esforço, dedicação e trabalho de Paulo Bento que, pegou numa equipa desmoralizada e desorientada, e trouxe de volta o optimismo e a confiança aos jogadores, ao mesmo tempo que deu espaço para cada jogador desenvolver as suas potencialidades.


Apesar de estar no "grupo de morte", as hipóteses de Portugal ainda são razoáveis. Se entrar com a mentalidade certa, deixando de lado exibicionismos, a equipa portuguesa pode finalmente alcançar o título europeu.

E, apesar de estar farto de saber, aqui está o calendário dos jogos de Portugal, na fase de grupo. Espero vir a escrever o calendário dos restantes jogos de Portugal, até à final!!!

9 de Junho - 19h45 em Lviv: Portugal vs. Alemanha
13 de Junho - 17h em Lviv: Portugal vs. Dinamarca
17 de Junho - 19h45 em Kharkiv: Portugal vs. Holanda

Boa sorte Portugal!!!!

Euro 2012: analysing the teams (IV)

Here are the comments to the last group of Euro2012.

Fance:
The French team is a veritable powder keg ready to burst with minimal fuse, as seen in the 2010 World Cup: Anelka abandonning the race and other players to striking in training.
The great ethnic and cultural heterogeneity, means that any wrong word, can causes a conflict difficult to control: and the great football reference, Ribéry is one of the most unstable players.
Of course since that time have been great changes in the selection, introduced by new coach Laurent Blanc: cohesion and unanimity among all players. Despite having some players of great international reputation, the French team is far from their heydays.
The big picture is the forward Karim Benzema, due to his youth and ambition, coupled with a large class and potential: units in himself major capabilities that are essential in any game. After an excellent season at Real Madrid, is full of motivation to continue with the good results.
Despite the stability that it causes, the great multiculturalism of the french team, allows them to find the strengths of the difference, while it concentrates a great number of talents.

England:
It's almost impossible not to associate England to football championships, but also all associate the name to England to the no qualifying for Euro 2008.
And the England team still manages to overcome the French team in scandal and confusions to the point of Italian Fabio Capello has given up, forcing the selection to choose a substitute, Roy Hudgson.
Despite the favoritism, this is much smaller than in the past, which takes a lot of pressure from the shoulders of the players.
The coach has the authority to make the England team a strong opponent, achieving at the same time, build consensus both within the team and outside. Unfortunately, their presence as a coach is still very recent, which gave him no time to work and enter his personal touch to the team.
Among the players include some of the biggest stars of world football, and responsible for Chelsea's big hits. Just repeat what they do on this team, to be assured a large performing of the English team.

Sweden:
The Swedish team has some strengths, which unfortunately can quickly turn into weaknesses: I am referring mainly to Zlatan Ibrahimovic who seems to coming constantly between good and bad temper, which caused several problems in the selection.
The Swedish team is a team that stands out as a body, without much individualities. Despite various problems, the most serious are the defense, especially the wings, not to mention the recent injuries that some players have suffered that, despite not having them unable to be present in the league, impaired much their performance.
Despite their lack of favoritism around this team, the truth is that Sweden is becoming a figure very present in these championships. Both figure Ibrahimovic as the coach, Erik Hamren, are large gains that can provide a good path for the Swedish team.

Ukraine:
It is the great debutant this year, which was possible because they are co-organizer.
Although there is nothing that stands in the team, as in other selections, the truth is that Ukraine is at its side the factor-house and public support, that has motivated they more than Poland.
In fact, among the players, just stands the veteran Andrei Shevchenko, who is not a great asset.
The lack of international experience, both the players (only two players have an intrnational career) as the team, brings major drawbacks for this selection. Moreover, all the support as the home team can bring a lot of pressure, and eventually do more harm than benefit.
Of course the fact that players do not participate very much in international competitions, like other teams did not bring them much physical exhaustion: this, coupled with all the motivation they have, can bring very positive surprises.
This is excellent opportunity for the Ukrainian team show that can fly higher than what it believes.
Another strong point is the coach Oleg Blokhin, who knows how to lead wisely the ukrainian team, taking it to the quarter finals of the World 2006 (the only presence of Ukraine in the international championship finals).



Who will win the UEFA European Football Cup 2012? Go HERE and vote.

Euro 2012: analysing the teams (III)

A computer problem prevented me from doing yesterday, my comments to the group C of the Euro2012. If all goes well today, I will make comments to the two remaining groups.

Spain:
The expectations for the Spanish selection, could not be higher: after winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008, is expected that Sapin continues here to show an excellent performance.
But of course not all good news: Puyol's injury, makes the selection lose one of the líders the resort which brings a major dilemma for the coach, who now has Sergio Ramos as the best choice to occupy the central defense, and an unknown to the right of the field.
As for the players available, they include some of the best players in the world, which were already familiar with these wanderings: not to mention that Del Bosque, is the coach who led the Spanish team to the title in 2010, and has the same philosophy and technique, to repeat this feat.
As for the group to which it belongs, despite the qualities of their opponents, the probabilities playing in favor of Spain.
Unfortunately, the league made ​​by most players are signs of wear physical, which can greatly benefit the opponents.
The quality of players and the experience and respect for the coach, are factors which indicate that Spain will be able to get far in this championship.

Italy:
Italy is another team that are always expected to get far in these championships.
Unfortunately, the Italian national team has players with little experience in international competitions (two players on the list of pre-guests were from Division II), in addition to the lack of one-goal man      - literally, always check a lot of goals - and highlighting only Di Natale 10 goals, and Cassano with 9.
It also remains in memory of all the disaster in the 2010 World Cup, which may overshadow the performance of players.
As for the physical problems of the players, there is nothing to worry about to pointing. In relation to Cesare Prandelli, the coach, despite never having won a title of relief, did a reasonably good job at Fiorentina, and after being chosen as the Italian coach, passed a strict code of conduct that allowed the selection to qualify without major problems.
Other positive aspects to highlight are the capacity that the Italian national team has to manage different situations (whether favorable or adverse) and defensive solidity - the main asset of the Italian national team - with just two goals suffered in ten meetings.

Croatia:
Croatia is another team that has surprised at the European Championships.
As for the players, the injuries of Dejan Lovren (the great figure of the defense) and Niko Kranjcar (a great asset in midfield), prevented them from being in top physical condition.
In the attack, after the departure of the great figure of Davor Suker, the team still needs a replacement for that position.
Despite the great experience of many of their players, which is allied to the ambition and enthusiasm of the younger players, the truth is that the croatian selection not have any player who is able to highlight and allow the public to believe that in a successful performance on the croatian team.
The great point in favor of the Croatian selection, is their team spirit, which can maintain the level and concentration even when things start going badly for the team.

Republic of Ireland:
According to the historical background of the team of Ireland, this is the selection with less chance of success of this group.
The great Irish selection problem is even the poor quality of the midfield, led by Giovanni Trapattoni, who can not keep up the quality of defense and attack.
This is the second time that Ireland is present in the European championships: in 1988, narrowly failing to qualify from the group stage.
Despite having made ​​a good qualifying round because of the strong team spirit, willpower will not be enough, so that Ireland continues to have success. The great problem of selection is the lack of flexibility of the team, to play successfully with other tactical models that which is familiar for them.
Poor adaptation to new game situations, it may be a weakness that players can enjoy fine.
The coach, Giovanni Trapattoni, has a history of good results, worthy of note. As for the route with fewer goals suffered, shows that score against Ireland will certainly not be easy





Who will win the UEFA European Football Cup 2012? Go HERE and vote.

Euro 2012: analysing the teams (II)

Here are my comments on the group considered the strongest of all, where are some of the teams considered favorites to win.

Germany:
Starting with on of the strongest teams of this championship, it's difficult to know the weakness of the geramn team: its srtucture is based on the titular team of Bayern - so this will mean that the team will acknowledge wearing, because they anly finished their season in May, 19th with the champions league.
And, if they passed from the groups phase, would they inverse the bad results on the latest championships (loosing in the semi-finals of the last two world cups, and the final of Euro 2008)?
But, if some of the main players are from Bayern, that made a great season, this can mean that the players are able to show all their qualities, and close with key-of-gold, this season.
The german team has everything to face this competition with optimism: a perfect combination between a great physic condition and great competence at technical level. There aren't big weak points, except maube the youth of some players, little used for this kind of competitions.
Obviously, the aspiration of the german team is to win this competiton. The results sepak by theirself: they had a good qualifying phase, with only victories: the coach (in the place since 2008), Joanchin low, follows the same philosophy of his predecessor.
One of the biggest reference in the players, is the medium of Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil, that was an extraordinary assintance, pointing 5 goals.

Denmark:
The statistics are against it. In this group of "fire", the Danish selection is what has more chance of be less successful, though they finished the qualifying better than Portugal.
And in this championship does not have the stars of the past as Michael Landrup, Sarem Lerby or Allan Simonsen.
For the team is worth the stability: have the same coach since 2000, which succeeded in giving to his team a very unique style.
There is great respect between the coach and players, who have adapted well to the 4x3x3 system, that Morten Olsen brought from his days in Ajax.
If stability is the strong point of Denmark, the same can not be said of the options for the team: if Bendtner, Daniel Agger or Eriksen are injured, the whole team will do very impaired.
With only 15 goals, Denmark had the second worst attack of the teams selected for the European, just ahead of Greece (with 14 goals).
One of its positive points is the strength of the team as a collective. On the other hand, being the least favorite of the group, has nothing to lose and not much pressure on themselves, so it was that they won the title in 1992.

The Netherlands:
Let us now the second country in this group with more appearances in Europe, after Germany, and a big favorite. The main problem of the Dutch team is defense, except the goal, which is well defended by Stekelenburg.
The problem in the defense is mainly in the left wing, the post of young Jethro Willems, a newcomer to the selection - so no experience in this league. However, both the center and right, are not much better served.
But the fact that they have reached the final of the last World Cup, increases the desire for a victory in this European.
On the side of the strengths of the Dutch national team, there is the experience together of the most players, who together represent the selection for a long time.
Most players play abroad, in teams where have achieved great prestige: it shows the high quality of the Dutch squad, but otherwise presents a team  tired, with a lot and very stressful, games in this season.
The team has many players of high quality, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, who achieved a high level of maturity and professionalism.


Portugal:
Portugal is a team that always gets great favoritism, but at the time to do great things, is always short of expectations.
It is impossible not to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, which can also mean that the team is very focused on individuals and missing you very much team spirit. The team has good players apart from Cristiano Ronaldo as Hélder Postiga, Hugo Almeida and Nelson Oliveira, but the low for disciplinary reasons for Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho, very hurt the chances of the Portuguese team.
On the positive side, Portugal is going to the european very stable, achieved with great effort of the coach, Paulo Bento, who found a very suffered group. Every effort of Paul Bento, who was succeeded in imposing his ideas and his style in time to qualify for selection for the league, is worthy of admiration.
Being in the group more complicated, can bring many problems to Portugal, but the team long ago that was not as motivated as now.




Who will win the UEFA European Football Cup 2012? Go HERE and vote.

Euro 2012: analyzing the teams (I)

Here I begin a series of messages, in this week of the beginning of European football championship, making some comments about each of these selections.

Poland:
Being one of the host countries, was automatically qualified for the European. Unfortunately there was only another presence of Poland in Europeans, more precisely in the last European (in 2008 in Austria-Switzerland), staying only in the group stage, with a single goal scored by Roger Guerreiro.
As for the own selection, there are few players of international renown: only 6 players surpassed the barrier of 25 internationalizations.
Despite the immediate clearance, the limitations were visible at all levels of team, in the weak results during the particular games that, being friendly, never constituted a pressure test to the selection.
On the positive side, the great figure is undoubtedly the goalscorer Lewandowski, one of the best at its position in German league. As for goal, has been one of the greatest strengths of Poland and in this European wouldn't be the exception, with Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal goalkeeper, ensuring a good protection to the Polish goal.
And over here we are: the strength of Poland based on collective, rather than in individuals of renown. On its side Poland will also have the advantage to be playing at home, which has enabled it to raise always wins in these games, and the fact that playing debut with Greece, which despite the victory in 2004, is not the greatest opposition they could find.


Czech Republic:
Let's now talk of a country that had its golden period in the end of the twentieth century (not too long ago, so), but that has been overshadowed in recent years. The coach, Bilek, unfortunately no longer can count on most of these stars at the time of choosing this selection for the European: still managed to gather a reasonable set with experience.
Milan Barros, the top scorer in the Czech team, is on the descending phase since, was not even the Czech top scorer in qualifying phase: the place was occupied by the left lateral Kadloc. Barros is part of a majority group of players already reaching the age limit to participate in these championships: which brings with it the disadvantage of being very tired at this stage already.
Also the defensive area is another weaknesses of the Czech team. On the other hand, if the high number of veterans presents the problem of physical limitations, on the other carries the advantage of considerable experience with the sole exception of young strikers Necid and Kadlec. Although, since it became independent, have never missed a presence in Europe, the Czech team is quite realistic and is aware that is not favorite to win: for them to pass the group stage, will have something to can be proud.


Russia:
The Russian team, also have big problems with the physical condition of its players, starting with the biggest star of the team, Arshavin.
Far also are the more golden times of Russia, especcially the victory in 1996, while URSS.
Akinfeev, goalkeeper, also failed part of the season, due a lesion which has not completely recovered. But the big problem for Russia was in the axis of defense, due to the slowness and lack of technical resources of the players.
On the other side, we have the experience as a team, of the players, because most of them are playing in the russian team for four or five years: they already know each other - the strong points to hardness and the weak points to overcome.
But, after loosing the 2010 World Cup, the russian team is back, more strong tahn before.
The dutch coach, Dick Advocaat (that still can not speak russian) joined fo the Eastern "physical" footbal, criative and dinamism, based on Arshavin and Dzagoev, palyers with more talent.


Greece:
It is inevitable to speak the Greek victory in the 2004 European. In fact, a important milestone that was reversed less good performance that Greece has in this championship: of three times that they was earlier in the European Championship, only in 2004 they passed the group phase, precisely to win.
Although the current selection is tactically accurate and consistent in all areas, the truth is that there is great lack of talent and creativity, especially because the "brain" of the team, Sotoris Ninis, was injured during seven months and only in March managed to return to lawns.
As for the attack, there is still no strong option: Samaras, the best known, only scored four goals in 2012, and Mitroglou, with 15 goals for Atromis, never scored when he was selected to represent Greece, being heavily criticized for its excessive individualism.
In fact, the high value of the Greek team is on defense and in midfield. Despite the team maintain the same philosophy group that 2004, the truth is that the Greeks did not believe they can repeat the same feat this year.
The current coach, the portuguese Fernando Santos, is highly respected among players and has led his team very well.
Another problem that greeks must solve, is the disorientation when they suffer a goal, especially for smaller teams.
But the Greeks can have the advantage of being in the group considered less strong, in which all teams have the same chance of advancing to the next phase.
In addition, in the team still remaining the heroes of 2004: Katsouranis and Karagounis.




Who will win the UEFA European Football Cup 2012? Go HERE and vote.

EURO 2012: "Creating History Together"

Precisely six days from now will start the 2012 European Football Championship, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

The offical logo of EURO 2012

And before I talk a bit about the history of each selection, I will give some insight that probably will be known by many people.

Between June 8th and July 1st will be made the 16th European Football Championship, being hosted first time by both Poland and Ukraine. The decision was taken on April 18th 2007.

There are 14 countries that, together with the hosts after the qualification round with 51 countries, came out winners and will fight for victory. Theses countries were divided on four groups in 2 December 2011 at the Ukraine Palace of Arts in Kiev, Ukraine, after the 16 finalists were divided by 4 pots.

From each finalist was chosen a referee, 3 assistant referees and two aditional assistant refrees.

And now, let me talk about some symbols of this championship.

LOGO and SLOGAN
The logo (seen in the begining of this message), and the slogan "Creating History Together", were announced together. The slogan refers to the common past of both countries, when they were a single country, and the desire of both countries provide one of the best championships ever. 
As for the logo, was reveled in December of 2009, in an event at Mykhailivska Square, Kiev. Was based on  Wycinanki or Vytynanky, a traditional way of cutting paper, practised in some rural areas of Poland and Ukarine: so, this form of art, represents the rural areas of both countries.

MASCOTS
The official mascots of this championship are the twins, Slavek and Slavko, designed by Warner Bros: one of them represent the polish footballers, and the other the ukranian, with the respective natinal colours. These mascots were offically announced in December 2010, after a public web voting.
The name Slavko isn't polish, because the polish alphabet hasn't the "v" letter. But UEFA decided to not use english names on the mascots.

TROPHY
Inspired on Henri Delaunay (1883 - 1955), a french football administrator that, afetr being football player and referee, was later the president of Étoile des Deux Lacs, then secretary-general of the Comité français interfédéral (CFI), the ancestor of the French Football Federatio (when the CFI became the French Football Federation in 1919, he remained as secretary-general), and considered the responsible for the creation of the European Football Championship, the trophy started a journey through the host cities seven weeks before the start of the tournament. A hundred days before the first match a 35.5-metre-high (116 ft) hot air balloon in the shape of the trophy was flown in Nyon, Switzerland and will visit 14 cities throughout the host countries, reminding spectators of the impending tournament.


Due to the affluence of a large crowd during the days of the championship in both countries there were huge changes in terms of infrastructure, transport and communications network.
And of course, from the beginning there were problems and tensions associated with racism, antisemitism, hooliganism, animal cruelty and terrorist threats.

MUSIC
And now I leave you with the official song of the EURO2012, "Endeless Sumeer", sung by the German Singer, Oceana.
The official Polish song is "Koko Euro Spoko", sung by the folk band Jarzębina.
In Ireland was also produced a song named "The Rocky Road to Poland" recorded by a collaboration of Irish performers, thar was already reached number 1 in Ireland.                                

               
  


In the next posts, I will analyze each selection in this championship.




Who will win the UEFA European Football Cup 2012? Go HERE and vote.